Boots of Spanish Leather

"Boots of Spanish Leather" is a song written by Bob Dylan, released in 1964 on his album The Times They Are A-Changin'.

Musically, this song consists of Dylan alone on the acoustic guitar. He plays in the "fingerpicking" style: that is, he plays each string individually, with no strumming. "Boots of Spanish Leather" is played, in the officially released studio recording, in the key of Ab major; Dylan probably effects this key by using a capo on the first fret and positioning his fingers as if he were playing G major. The dominant notes in the guitar part seem to be what on a piano is called "Middle C," which in this song is the major third in the tonic chord; and the D-flat immediately above "Middle C," which is the perfect fourth; with the top note at any point in the song rotating between these two notes. It is of note that musically this song is nearly identical to his earlier composition "Girl from the North Country."

Lyrically, "Boots of Spanish Leather" is "a restless, forlorn ballad for the ages and sages-a classic Dylan tale of two lovers, a crossroads, and the open sea..." (Trager 80). Most critics have not found it far-fetched to say that this song was written about and maybe to Suze Rotolo, Dylan's New York City girlfriend in the early '60s, who in 1964 left him for Italy. The song is written as a dialogue, with the first six verses alternating between the man and woman; however, the last three verses are all given by the one who has been left, presumably the man (Dylan). Within these nine verses, the woman goes across the sea. She writes, asking whether the man would like any gift, and he refuses, poetically saying he only wants her back. Towards the end it becomes clear that she is not returning, and she finally writes saying she may never come back, "It depends on how I'm a-feelin'." The man comes to realize what has happened and finally gives her a material request: "Spanish boots of Spanish leather." Michael Gray has pointed out a strong parallel between this line and the traditional folk song "Blackjack Davey," which Dylan arranged and recorded for his 1992 album Good as I Been to You, and in which footwear of Spanish leather also plays a significant role (Gray 657).

Of note is this song's inclusion in the Norton Anthology of Poetry, 5th edition, in the section titled "Popular Ballads of the 20th Century." Also of note, at least to Dylan fans, is that this is the only Dylan work in the Anthology.

Though performed live here and there since its composition, Dylan did not start performing "Boots of Spanish Leather" regularly until his Never Ending Tour began in 1988.

Covers

"Boots of Spanish Leather" has been covered by many musicians, including:

• Linda Mason: How Many Seas Must a White Dove Sail (1964)
• Joan Baez: Any Day Now (1968), Vanguard Sessions: Baez Sings Dylan (1998)
• Golden Gate Strings: Bob Dylan Songbook (1965)
• Richie Havens: Electric Haven (1966)
• Sebastian Cabot: Sebastian Cabot, Actor-Bob Dylan, Poet (1967)
• Dan McCafferty: Dan McCafferty (1975)
• Nanci Griffith: Other Voices, Other Rooms (1993), Winter Marquee (2002)
• Dubliners: 30 Years A-Greying (1994)
• Seldom Scene: Scene It All (2000)
• Michel Montecrossa: Born in Time (2000)
• Michael Moore: Jewels and Binoculars (2000)
• Various Artists (performed by Ida): A Tribute to Bob Dylan, Volume 3: The Times They Are A-Changin' (2000)
• Various Artists (performed by Martin Simpson): A Nod to Bob (2001)
• Robert Deeble: single (2001)
• Gerry Murphy: Gerry Murphy Sings Bob Dylan (2002)
• Various Artists (performed by Robert Deeble): May Your Song Always Be Sung: The Songs of Bob Dylan, Volume 3 (2003)
• Dervish (Band): Spirit (2003)

References

• Bob Dylan's official page. Retrieved 03/15/2006.
• Gray, Michael. Song & Dance Man III: The Art of Bob Dylan. Continuum, 2000.
• Trager, Oliver. Keys to the Rain: The Definitive Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. Billboard Books, 2004.

External links

• Lyrics to "Boots of Spanish Leather"